Stanislaus County’s unemployment rate held steady for the most part for the month of June, increasing by just .2 percent, according to the latest data released by the Employment Development Department.
The unemployment rate for June was 16.6 percent. Since April, the unemployment rate in Stanislaus County has been hovering around 16 percent, falling from a record high rate in March of 17.5 percent.
Last year the unemployment rate in Stanislaus County for June was 10.7 percent, according to the EDD.
The 16.6 percent unemployment rate represents about 40,300 people without jobs.
Merced County recorded an unemployment rate of 17.6 percent for June, up from 17.3 percent in May. San Joaquin County was at 15.5 percent for the month, up from 15.3 percent.
Overall, California’s June unemployment rate was at 11.6 percent, up .1 percent from May.
The unemployment rate in the Central Valley continues to reflect the poor job climate in the state. All total, the state recorded 66,500 lost jobs in June, with profession and business services and construction taking the hardest hits.
The data from the EDD showed 7,500 less jobs in Stanislaus County this year.
Typically, the Central Valley sees a dip in the unemployment rate at the start of the spring as farmers and agricultural-based industries prepare for the harvest season. The fact that the unemployment rate has remained at a high level is a reflection of the overall downturn in the economy, according to labor market analyst Liz Baker.
To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.